A grandmother who has been forced to cancel her holiday plans this year has instead donated the money so that young people with cancer can go places they have always dreamed of.

Jennifer Canning from Penryn had been looking forward to trips to Spain a few weeks ago and Bulgaria in September, until the coronavirus pandemic saw one cancelled and her change her mind on booking the second.

Instead she has given £500 she would have spent on the holidays to the Sasha Would've Loved It charity.

The fundraising group was launched last year in Falmouth by Michelle Bray, in memory of her daughter Sasha who sadly passed away in 2015 from a rare liver cancer, aged just 19.

It aims to raise money to provide activities for young people with cancer all over Cornwall - from riding a hovercraft to a driving experience around Perranporth Airfield from the age of 14.

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Jennifer, who knows Michelle through the Tanya's Courage Trust charity shop she manages in Penryn, also supporting young people with cancer, said: "I just thought, with her daughter being so young and passing away, it would help other children.

"I thought it would be nice to give it to Michelle."

Michelle said she was "very emotional" when she received the call from Jennifer, adding: "It was humbling that such thoughtful people are out there doing good.

"It's sure to make a difference to the charity; it's lovely."

Michelle is now in contact with charity CLIC Sargent and the Royal Cornwall Hospital, to organise vouchers for the first lot of young recipients.

Money has also been raised through sponsorship and fundraising events, with last year's 'Ska Bash 4 Sash' being the first. It was the fourth year of the event celebrating Sasha's birthday with her favourite music, but the first in support of the new fundraising group.

Other activities have included a fancy dress sponsored zipwire at Adrenaline Quarry and a parachute jump.

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While this year's event have had to be postponed, Falmouth Walking Football Group and the Christmas Eve Harmony Choir have both both donated money.

Anyone wanting to take part in a sponsored parachute jump next year can email sashawouldvelovedit@gmail.com

It was also announced on Friday that Falmouth mayor Steve Eva had chosen Sasha Would've Loved It as the charity he will be supporting throughout this civic year through fundraising events.

Mr Eva said: "All the nominations I received were extremely worthy local causes, therefore it has been a difficult decision. However, after researching each application I am delighted to announce that I have chosen to support Sasha Would've Loved It.

"My reason for choosing this charity is because all funds raised go towards Cornish teenagers fighting cancer by providing experiences, adventures and fun so for a short time they can forget their problems and in my mind this is something I can and will be proud to support."

A different charity is chosen each year by the mayor at that time and this year Mr Eva asked for charities to nominate themselves, after recognising that it would be particularly challenging for them to fundraise during the Covid-19 pandemic.